Common Talk Weeklyshuang yu zhou kan
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World Health News Update

Stay off the booze on long flights
长途飞行别喝酒

Blood clots and circulatory problems are becoming increasingly common among passengers on long distance flights. The medical clinic at Tokyo International Airport treats between 100 and 150 passengers for these conditions every year, most of them economy class passengers.
Japanese researchers have just completed a trial to determine if drinking plenty of water during the flight would help alleviate the problem. They found that water drinkers maintained their blood pressure, had more oxygen in their brain, and better blood flow.

A little dirt may be good for you
一尘不染非好事
The theory that in the modern world we place too great an emphasis on cleanliness which could lead to more allergies and disease is especially true for children who are protected from dirt, it has been discovered. Dr. Barbara Fazekas of the Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology in Sydney, Australia now suggests that this may be due to the fact the body's immune system becomes too sensitive when children are not exposed to bacteria found in dirt.

Denmark bans lead
丹麦禁铅
High lead levels in the environment cause brain damage in children. Although several countries have taken steps to eliminate lead in car fuels, leaded fuels are not expected to be completely phased out in Europe until 2005. Lead is also found in some plastics, building materials, ceramics, and crystal glassware. Because of a steady increase in the levels of lead in the Danish population the Danish government has now banned all products containing lead.

Tomatoes: a powerful cancer fighter
西红柿能抗癌
A study at the Harvard Medical School found that eating tomato products regularly could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by up to a third. Other researchers have found that diets containing high levels of tomatoes can reduce the risk of heart attacks and various kinds of cancer. Now researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem report that a chemical found in tomatoes will kill human oral cancer cells. The best sources of the helpful chemical are concentrated tomato products that also contain some fat such as ketchup and pizza toppings. Source: New Scientist

Like a fish to water
By Angela Lehmann

Matti from Finland has been living and working in Xiamen for the last five years. He is an avid swimmer and was competing at the national level when he was attending school.
本文自述者Matti来自芬兰,在厦门生活五年了。他是个"浪里白条", 当学生时还参加过全国比赛呢。

  

I have been swimming since I was just 4 years old. When I was a teenager and in my 20s I used to compete at Finland's national level. My best stroke is freestyle and my favorite distance is 50m or 100m. I reached the finals but didn't make it through. That was 20 years ago now but I have never stopped swimming. It's still my main hobby and I try to get in the pool at least twice a week here in Xiamen.

Swimming is a great sport because you can't injure yourself, unlike other sports like running. It's a much safer sport so everyone can enjoy it. It's great for elderly people or people with injuries because it is relatively gentle on the body. You can choose to swim fast or slow, where as running requires a certain level of fitness.

When I was younger and training I would swim about 9 times a week. Before competitions it was 12 to 14 times a week. At that stage I was swimming 40-45km each week. It sounds like a lot now, but my friend at the time was swimming 90km a week. I would compete often, more or less every second weekend.

The training was done in either 25-metre salt water pools or Olympic-style 50-metre chlorine pools. The different pools create a different style. The 25-metre pools are much faster because you are turning more often. I would train in the early mornings before school from 6.30am till 8am. In Finland at this time it is often very dark and cold. Sometimes I would get out of the pool and go outside with my hair still wet and it would freeze!
Swimming is quite popular in Finland. I guess because it is an Olympic sport. It's also a sport you can do indoors which suits the Finnish climate. They say there is a heated indoor pool for every 5000 people in Finland. People in my home country are encouraged to take care of themselves and swimming is a good choice because it's cheap —much cheaper than here in China!
One of the things that is important about swimming is hygiene. In order to keep the pool clean for everyone, you should take a quick shower before getting in the water. Even the most advanced pool cleaning systems are not effective if people don't wash themselves first.

Swimming is a great workout for your whole body. Your lungs, your blood circulation and every muscle gets exercised. But swimming can be boring because you are constantly just looking at the bottom of the pool. To stop yourself getting bored you have to find interesting things to amuse your mind with. When I was at school I would spend the time thinking about my homework or any problems I had. It's a great time to think. I still find it really relaxing. When I am swimming I cannot see anyone or hear anything. In the water I am truly alone.

Heated massage pool in Mandarin

As China's white collar workforce continues its expansion, more and more people are finding themselves spending long days in front of a computer. One result is the increase of back and neck injuries from bad desk posture. Another result is people looking for different ways to relax and soothe their aches and pains during their leisure time. While massage has a long history in China, the advent of the massage pool, or spa bath is relatively recent.

Spa baths have long been popular in Europe, dating back to before the Roman Era when people began to think about the healing properties of water. Huge bath houses were built which functioned not only as a way to cure disease and soothe aching muscles, but as a meeting place for social exchange. Centuries later, an Italian living in America invented the world's first whirlpool bath. Sensing that Americans were increasingly interested in health and fitness related leisure activities, he traveled around the country selling his invention. Whirlpool baths, now known as Jacuzzis or spa baths, have become a common fixture in homes and hotels across America and Europe.

Xiamen is one of the first cities in China to kick off the craze here. The Mandarin Hotel in Huli （湖里悦华酒店）is soon opening its new naturtorium featuring a 25-meter indoor heated pool and one of the first whirl-pool massage baths in Fujian. The temperature of the spa is 37 degrees and several water jets produce oxygen molecules which stimulate the body's nerves, speed up blood circulation and can help relieve pain from bone injuries, aches and muscle fatigue and can help cure insomnia(失眠). Using sophisticated German technology, the pool utilises ancient theories of health and wellbeing-warm, clean water and massage.